The Finished Product

Figures 43 and 44 show front and rear views of the finished wheel. Figure 45 is a detail shot of the joint again highlighting the spline element. Sadly the pictures don't do the shine justice as it's really deep and clear with just the slightest hint of amber.

Figure 43: Complete wheel after five coats of varnish (front view)

Figure 44: Completed wheel (rear view)

Figure 45: Completed wheel, joint detail

Conclusions

Finally finished, it's time to quaff a couple adult beverages and look back over the effort!

I spent a total of about 23 hours on the project (see breakdown below). Having never done a project like this before, I can definitely see where to save time should I have the desire to build another. Regardless, I am very satisfied with the finished wheel. I can say without hesitation it was worth the time and effort because no one else will have a wheel exactly like mine and that means something to me.

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I'm also completely satisfied that the finished wheel looks like it could have been on the car from the factory, albeit perhaps as an extra cost option. I definitely met all of my objectives and thoroughly enjoyed the process. I recommend such a project to anyone considering it – it's not terribly difficult, only a few tools are necessary, and the satisfaction obtained cannot be duplicated by simply buying a store bought wheel.

If I had it to do over, would I do anything differently? Of course that's always a difficult question to ask yourself, but I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist so I can usually find things to improve. Not knowing exactly how the black walnut will darken with age, I'd probably choose a different accent wood given the chance to do this again. I'd likely go with the darkest, blackest wood I could find so that it would be a very obvious stripe on the ID and OD or perhaps I should have stained the walnut a very dark color before laminating it to the cherry. Perhaps that's being a bit too hard on myself especially since it's a matter of taste anyway. Oh well, something to consider for the next wheel I make...

Hope you enjoyed this article and if you have any questions please scroll down and leave your comments below!

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I have had a wheel on my garage wall for at least 10 years, thinking, "on day...." . Well, with
your help, perhaps one day will come and be ready for Spring! Thanks for your detailed and
documented explanation of hoe to get 'er done!

This is just what I needed to inspire me to make a wooden wheel for my Sunbeam (a V6 Tiger inspired) as the original Tiger had such a wheel.
Now to find a steering wheel on Ebay for the progect.
Any project need a plan and a starting point. Reading this article is a great start.

Wow I am amazed looks awesome! Your skills and patience are great.
Can you tell me what you did to the metal? It looks so shiny and pretty.. I am trying to restore mine (I have that same one with the foam) I just removed the surface rust, but the metal looks like stained. Any help is appreciated!

hey im doing the same project in woodshop at school based on your
project instructions but with a different steering is it possible to
cut and weld peices so that it becomes a quick release because the
steering i have has round edges and the midle (center part)is for stock
cars... need your help thanks

Well thought out and excellent result. Would like to do something
similar, but based on the original sprung/dished profile Minor steering
with a thinner rim. Though this would entail some unique difficulties of
its'own I think. One day. Great article.

Excellent article. I particularly liked the explanation of thought
process, use of a prototype, making the few tools you had work, and
general description of how and why you did what you did. Finished
product looks outstanding.

what a great project wish i could work with wood like you as i was reading through you article a thought came into my mind why not make the centre spokes out of stainless steel could even custom design to make a one off steering wheel

What a beauty. Now I have to do one too. I have plenty of dried walnut so I will use it on both halves. Thanks for the time you spent in documenting this project. I would never have thought I could do one until I saw your step by step article. Now I am convinced I can do it. Thanks again.

Your brilliant article inspired me to fulfill my 20 year quest of installing a wood wheel in my 1969 Corvette. I roughly replicated a 9 piece 1966 teak wheel using red and white oak. It is currently clamped in fiberglass resin awaiting sanding.I now feel qualified to write my own DIY piece: How NOT to build a wood steering wheel.Thank you for your help.

A friend if mine is renovating a Daimler Dart, and asked me if I could make him a wood rim for the steering wheel. I researched on the net, and your article was by far the most logical and well documented article I have found. I decided I would make a prototype rim out of some pine timber I had. Following your recommendations, (almost), I produced a rim that my friend was very satisfied with. The real rim will be made from, as you have, cheery wood with a dark wood accent in the middle. My wife has put her name on the prototype one for a picture frame when I have finished the REAL rim. You mention that you would do somethings differently if you had another one to make. What would these differences be?A very good articleWhere can I forward some pics?Dave Holborn

pretty ambitious project well done! I picked up a donor car and surprise it had a woodwheel. Researched to find it was made by Mountney Ltd in GB -It does not use thehorn brush but an adapter for the MGB and not sure what they had in mind to actuatethe horn. It has a horn push with single connection I assume that's what grounds theDC which must be fed through a hole in a Boss Kit (their word) any experience with this firm. E mail got not responce model is 353spw looks pretty neat any thoughts?

I have a much larger steering wheel on a 1937 RR PIII. The bakelite on it has cracked extensively and must be removed. It is steel underneath. I want to do it in Indian Rosewood, which comes in pieces long enough to do it the Mitch's way. I have a friend who is a master carpenter and he is afraid of long term stability. Has the steering wheel above or others that have made them stood the test of time? My car has "power steering by arm-strong" and is a bear to park (weights 5900 pounds and is 18.5 feet long). So I will be putting lots of force on the rim. Secondly, I will have to do the spokes and hub as well.Any comments, suggestions, hints, or warnings?

Hey Mitch, this is a great article and very well detailed. I came across your article when my daughter asked me to build a wooden steering wheel for her 48 Mercury Eight that she is restoring. Ill keep you posted on the work.

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